/ kɑːˈtel; NAmE kɑːrˈtel/ noun
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] a group of separate companies that agree to increase profits by fixing prices and not competing with each other
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: from German Kartell , from French cartel , from Italian cartello , diminutive of carta , from Latin carta , charta , from Greek khartēs papyrus leaf. It was originally used to refer to the coalition of the Conservatives and National Liberal parties in Germany (1887), and hence any political combination; later meaning a trade agreement (early 20th cent.).